2025 Fall Course Syllabus - Mathematics 8011.001

Course Title:

Abstract Algebra I

Course Credits:

3

Course Mode:

In-person

Course Days and Time:

TR 9:30-10:50am

Course Room:

Wachman 617

Course Instructor:
Martin Lorenz
Instructor Email:
martin.lorenz@temple.edu
Instructor Office:

Wachman 528

Instructor Phone:

215-204-5013.

Office Hours:

T 2-3:30pm or by appointment

Course Materials:

Dummit & Foote: "Abstract Algebra", 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2004.

Course grading scheme:

The course grade will be based on homework and two exams: a midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam. The final exam will count for 40% of your grade; the midterm and the total score from all homework assignments will each count for 30%.

Course prerequisites:

An undergraduate course in algebra such as Math3098 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

Course goals:

This is the first part of a two-semester course sequence giving a thorough introduction to the methods and terminology of modern abstract algebra. The two parts together will prepare students to take the Algebra section of the qualifying exam.

Topics covered:

The material to be covered in the upcoming Fall semester will be organized into two main parts: 

Part 1 -- Groups (Chapters 1-6 of the textbook), 

Part 2 -- Rings and Fields (Chapters 7-14). 

The second part will include a brief introduction to Galois Theory (Chapter 14), but this topic will likely be continued in the following spring semester. The indicated chapters from the textbook contain more material than will be covered in class and my approach to certain topics may occasionally differ slightly from the one taken in the textbook. However, I will post complete class notes for my lectures shortly after each lecture. It is important that you work through the posted class notes afterward. Ideally, you should also consult the textbook for additional information.

Exam dates:

Midterm: 10am-12noon on October 16

Final Exam: 8-10am on December 11 (as per the TU Examination Schedule)

Dates and times will be confirmed (or changed) in due course and the exam rooms will also be announced then.

Attendance policy:

Attendance is required but it will not be monitored. It is in your own best interest to attend class regularly, because the material to be covered is not easily absorbed by self-study.

Technology Specifications for this Course:
This is a registered Canvas course. All information and assignments will be regularly posted there.
Year
Semester
Course
Section
Course title

Abstract Algebra I

Course credits

3

Course mode

In-person

Course Days and Time

TR 9:30-10:50am

Course room

Wachman 617

Your office

Wachman 528

Your office hours

T 2-3:30pm or by appointment

Course materials

Dummit & Foote: "Abstract Algebra", 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2004.

Course grading scheme

The course grade will be based on homework and two exams: a midterm exam and a comprehensive final exam. The final exam will count for 40% of your grade; the midterm and the total score from all homework assignments will each count for 30%.

Course prerequisites

An undergraduate course in algebra such as Math3098 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

Course goals

This is the first part of a two-semester course sequence giving a thorough introduction to the methods and terminology of modern abstract algebra. The two parts together will prepare students to take the Algebra section of the qualifying exam.

Description of topics covered

The material to be covered in the upcoming Fall semester will be organized into two main parts: 

Part 1 -- Groups (Chapters 1-6 of the textbook), 

Part 2 -- Rings and Fields (Chapters 7-14). 

The second part will include a brief introduction to Galois Theory (Chapter 14), but this topic will likely be continued in the following spring semester. The indicated chapters from the textbook contain more material than will be covered in class and my approach to certain topics may occasionally differ slightly from the one taken in the textbook. However, I will post complete class notes for my lectures shortly after each lecture. It is important that you work through the posted class notes afterward. Ideally, you should also consult the textbook for additional information.

Exam dates

Midterm: 10am-12noon on October 16

Final Exam: 8-10am on December 11 (as per the TU Examination Schedule)

Dates and times will be confirmed (or changed) in due course and the exam rooms will also be announced then.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required but it will not be monitored. It is in your own best interest to attend class regularly, because the material to be covered is not easily absorbed by self-study.

Technology Specifications for this Course
This is a registered Canvas course. All information and assignments will be regularly posted there.
Course Instructor
Martin Lorenz
Instructor Email
martin.lorenz@temple.edu